Introduction:


In the dialogue, Rachel and Laban begin a very casual conversation between father and daughter, but soon the conversaton becomes a war of words and demands. The conversation between the classic genesis characters has a modern tone in order for the listener to get an idea of the substance of the arguement and concentrate on the key personality traits characterized by Rachel and Laban. Both Rachel and Laban display different qualities in their conversation, giving the dialouge a feeling of realism and texture which modern society can easily relate to. When one listens to the dialouge, the personality in both Rachel and Laban can be easily projected onto the Paintings of the Biblical characters, and the qoutes from the Bible seen further down in the page. The father-daughter dynamic presented in the dialogue shows both relatablity and modern flare, making the conversation, not only an entertaining project, but also a in-depth analysis into the true nature of Laban and Rachel.



31-ferri_reconciliation_of_jacob_and_laban1.jpg
Ferri, Ciro. "The Reconciliation of Jacob and Laban." Dwelling in the word. Mt. Caramel Ministries, n.d. Web. 19 May 2010. <http://www.lulus.com/ products/moon-terrace-dress-in-midnight/21503.html>.


Ciro Ferri


Italian Baroque artist, Ciro Ferridisplays high quality skill in his painting above which depicts a conversation taking place between Jacob (to the right of the elderly Laban) and Laban (the old man). Ciro Ferri, a native to Rome, worked as Pietro da Cortona's apprentice and later became Cortona's successor. The catholic church found Ferri's work masterful and displyaing high quality, which lead Ferri to create many of his paintings for Cathedrals and other catholic structures. Ciro Ferri based his studio in Rome, where he wo​rked for the rest of his life creating various paintings for wealthy patrons. On September thirteenth, sixteen eighty-nine, Ciro Ferri died in Rome, Italy at the age of fifty-five.


bob.htm




Characters:

Laban:


Because Laban is very old fashioned, and makes most of his decisions based on ideas made in the past, he often has to get what he wants by means of deception. Ciro Ferri’s painting, “The Reconciliation of Jacob and Laban," shows Rachel and Leah looking towards Laban and Jacob as they make a deal with one another. In the painting, Ferri makes Laban appear very old by making Laban’s hair gray and wrinkles evident. These striking features, which Ferri painted in, symbolize Laban’s advanced age and the fact that he is a very old-fashioned man, who believes that ideas and practices that were preformed in his era, should be practiced today. However, because some characters in the bible do not agree with the ideas of Laban, Laban often has to resort to his deceptiveness to get what he wants. Laban’s deceptiveness at work is evident when Jacob has found out he has been tricked by his soon to be Father-in-law, Laban. When Jacob realizes that he slept with his love’s sister, Leah he exclaims to Laban “’Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why than have you deceived me?’” (Gen. 29.25) In the beginning, Jacob wished to marry Leah’s younger sister, Rachel. However, Laban only agree to give Rachel to Jacob, if Jacob worked for her. After Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, Laban secretly gave Leah to Jacob, and Jacob finds out after they are married. Laban’s reasons for deceiving Jacob were because in Laban’s land they have always married off the first born first. The quote that Jacob expresses towards Laban indicates Laban’s clear deception directed at Jacob, because Jacob clearly asks Laban why he deceived Jacob. Laban may be a deceptive old man who has no trouble ruining the life of Jacob; he also has a daughter Rachel who also is not the normal cliché bible character.

Rachel:
Rachel1.jpg
"Rachel." Bible people-their stories. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2010. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bible-people.info/images/ Rachel1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bible-people.info/ Rachel.htm&usg=__ZBbEZYr5-fAO4S_ooEXW_K3xEhc=&h=398&w=369&sz=13&hl=en&start=9&sig 2=g6qj-pv0PdklW1MAOK5IDQ&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=XIonrMfqTrTzeM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=115&prev =/ images%3Fq%3Drachel%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bbible%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%2 6tbs%3Disch:1&ei=mDb1S6K3CJOssgPR_MGIBQ>.

Though Rachel may be perceived as yet another passive female in the bible, she actually shocks characters in the bible with in boldness. In a painting made by an unknown artist, Rachel is depicted by herself in the painting looking right at the artist, against a white marble background. In the painting, the artist decided to make Rachel have very distinct eyes, which give her a very passive look. The eyes seem dull and relaxed, giving Rachel the expression of no having a care, or being easily influenced. Because of her eyes, the viewer immediately labels Rachel as a passive woman. In a passage of the bible, however, the viewer gets a different perception of Rachel. In the passage, she is still with out children, so she comes to Jacob and says: “’Give me children, or I shall die!’” (Gen. 30.1) This sudden out burst by Rachel surprises Jacob, because he did not see Rachel as bold as what she just said. This boldness also surprised the reader because in the painting, Rachel appears passive, but in the passage she flaunts her boldness, thus changing our perception of her.


Dialogue:


Young Love
Rachel: Dad! Dad! You’re never going to believe this!
Laban: What?
Rachel: There is a really REALLY cute guy outside on the lawn, who's totally into me!
Laban: Oh really? Who is he? What’s his name?
Rachel: His name is Jacob, and he's Aunt Rebekah's son...(sigh) Isn't he dreamy?
Laban: Yeah. What a hunk. (sarcasm)
Rachel: Wouldn't it be great if Jacob asked me to marry him?
Laban: Oh yeah! that would be...great...(muttering to himself) Over my dead body.
Rachel: ...Whatcha doin Daddy?
Laban: I'm polishing the household gods. (rubbing noises)
Rachel: Wow Daddy! that’s so cool! Daddy, have I ever told you how cool you are?
Laban: What do you want now Rachel?
Rachel: Daddy! I'm insulted! Just because i'm nice to you, doesn't mean I want something from you.
Laban: Yes it does! Now get to the point Rachel, I'm very busy.
Rachel: Ok fine... Can I marry Jacob?
Laban: What?! Marry him? First of all, if anyone is going to marry him it’s your sister Leah, and second of all, he has to ask to me first if he wants to marry you. Back in my day, every man had to ask the girl's father, before he asked her.
Rachel: But I think he will ask! Please daddy!
Laban: No Rachel! You are too young for Jacob, and plus look at your sister. She's alone, and lets face it, she isn't getting any younger.
Rachel: But Daddy!...
Laban: No Rachel! I have made my decision! Now leave me to my work!
Rachel: No Daddy! I won't stand for it! Let me marry Jacob or i'll run away forever!

Laban: How dare you talk to me that way! Do you know where you live young lady?! Under my tent and my rules! Your older sister Leah shall be the one to marry first. That's how we did things in my day, and that's how we will do them now! What has gotten into you Rachel? Women in my day were never so bold.
Rachel: Sorry Daddy. What if I did some chores?
Laban: Like what?
Rachel: I dunno? What do you need done?
Laban: What don't I need done? The fields need to be watered, the crops harvested, animals feed, dinner prepared, taxes given to the tax collectors, clothing made, clothing washed, the list goes on. What do you want to do?
Rachel: Anything!
Laban: Will you water the crops? (water noise)
Rachel: Sure.
Laban: Feed the animals? (animal noises)

Rachel: Okay.

Laban: Prepare dinner? (pan sizzling)

Rachel: Alright.

Laban: What about washing every single scrap of clothing for every member of our family?

Rachel: Fine.

Laban: Well Rachel, you have made a very convincing argument. If you complete all the chores I have given you, than I will be happy to give my blessing to Jacob and let you become his bride.

Rachel: Really Daddy?! Oh thanks Dad! I promise you, I won't let you down!

Laban: Okay Rachel. I'll see you later!

Rachel: Bye Dad!
Laban: Bye!......huh. If she thinks for a second that she is going to marry that boy, then she is dead wrong. I know it will break her heart, but I want her sister to marry him instead. It is the way it should be, the oldest member of the family gets married first. Am I wrong to be doing this?...no, no of course not. This has been the way that things have been done in our family for decades, and it should stay like this. I'm right, yes yes I am right and Rachel will have to learn to accept that. This is the way families have been doing things since the beginning of time, and this is how we will do things now. I'm right, I know I am.



Script:
Jacob,_Laban_and_dtrs_1343.jpg
Ultimate bible. "Jacob meets Rachel." Biblos.com. Biblos, n.d. Web. 20 May 2010. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bibleencyclopedia.com/ picturesjpeg/ Jacob,_Laban_and_dtrs_1343.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bibleencyclopedia.com/pictures/ Genesis_29_Jacob_with_Laban_and_his_daughters_2.htm&usg=__7Ldre3SEeYUK2qUA6mnH0Wo 8-Ks=&h=514&w=400&sz=114&hl=en&start=3&sig2=HXfCcZMjj41vtDNjtMgDPw&um=1&itbs=1&tb nid=bCmgKr4YfZwOhM:&tbnh=131&tbnw=102&prev=/ images%3Fq%3Dlaban%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bbible%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26tbs%3Disc h:1&ei=cjf1S4vvKo6atAOdvr2IBQ>

The dialogue of Young Love (seen above) contains many distinct traits within the text which makes the act much more relatable to modern society, as apposed to the complex ancient text the Bible displays. The relationship between Laban and Rachel shows the relaxed and expressive relationship which most father-daughter relationships contain in the twenty-first century. Rachel displays the expressivness of her and Laban's relationship by defen ding herself from her father's grip over power. Rachel raises her voice to her father when she disagrees with her father's decision by saying, " No daddy! I won't stand for it! Let me marry Jacob or i'll run away forever!" In the normal text of Genesis, most women would never defy another male figure; instead the women would do as they were told. Rachel clearly stands up against her father, to emphasis the difference in power structure in Genesis and in the script. In Genesis the women are clearly lower than men, but in the dialogue both Rachel and Laban are considered equal.
Modern language is also incoperated into the text, in order for the audience to be able to relate easily to the characters and the situation presented by the characters. Rachel says various modern phrases suchas: "Daddy" and "cool". The modernization of the text allows the audience to also read, and understand the text with ease; unlike the language displyaed by Genesis.

With the assistance of the act Young Love, one can easily see completely new sides of classic Genesis characters such as Laban and Rachel, and one con also make their own analysis of the characters.

Process:

In creating the project seen above, many challenges were faced, but in the end the final product turned out to be quite successful. The entire collaboration of the project seems to be one of the greatest challenges. Bringing everything from all different files and web sites became a very tedious and time consuming task, and time was not easily obtainable. Making sure all of the items that were brought onto the site were stratically placed in the right positions also proved itself as a labourous task.
Writing the pieces that are displayed within the site was actually rather enjoyable because being able to freely espress myself in an English assignment is a rare, but extremely rewarding treat. The dialogue shown above displays exactly what was enjoyable about the process of creating this website. When writing the script, creativeness was the pure essence of my train of thought. Writing an english assignmnet has never been so much fun!
Wikispaces seems to be a piece of technology which refuses to comply with people. Even the simplest of tasks showed difficulty for the poor website creator, but pity was not what the wikispace program recieved. Instead, long periods of time were spent on finding out why things were happening and how to stop those things from happening as soon as possible.